Australia
December 14, 2009
In an innovative new approach, the Australian cotton industry has launched a website to help farmers identify nearby cotton fields that could be damaged by drift from 2,4D herbicides.
To date, over 85% of the total crop, or 1,700 cotton fields have been mapped at www.cottonmap.com.au in a bid to curb millions of dollars in damage to cotton caused by 2,4D drift.
Cotton Australia is urging all farmers in cotton valleys intending to use products from the Phenoxy herbicide range to go on-line and check for sensitive nearby cotton fields, bearing in mind that not all cotton fields have been mapped.
“If you find you’ve got a neighbor growing cotton within a 10km radius, you need to take extra precautions to ensure your 2,4D applications do not drift,” Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said.
“That means following the label’s legal requirements, only spraying in ideal weather conditions, using coarse or very coarse spray nozzles and informing neighbours of your intention to spray.
“Despite being impacted, the cotton industry has funded this website to assist all farmers to check the placement of sensitive cotton fields before 2,4D is applied. We are hoping for a significant reduction in damage this year, for what is an entirely preventable problem,” Mr Kay said.
To check the location of cotton fields in your area, go to www.cottonmap.com.au, remembering that not all fields have been mapped and that other precautions are necessary.
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